Early biochemical response of pulmonary tissue to manganese dioxide

The biochemical response of pulmonary tissue to MnO2 dust burden of 30 days duration was studied in rats. The activities of enzymes from isolated fractions of rat lungs were not significantly altered, even though manganese content was increased significantly in tissues remote from lungs, indicating translocation of the dust from its intrapulmonary location.

Treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes

The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.

Hemangioendothelioma of the mandible: report of case

A case of hemangioendothelioma of the mandible, the third of its kind to involve the jawbone is reported. The radiological appearance of new bone formation is a unique feature in this case. The vascular malignant tumor has a poor prognosis.

Therapeutic activity of sulphadimethoxine and bifuran against E. tenella and effect of medication on the development of immunity

Therapeutic activity of sulphadimethoxine and Bifuran in drinking water against different levels of infection (5,000 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 oocysts per chick) with Eimeria tenella and effect of medication on development of immunity was assessed. Medication was started after 96 hours of the infection. Sulphadimethoxine gave better control (performance indices: 234, 193, 155 and 112, respectively) than Bifuran (performance indices: 194, 129, 74 and 40, respectively) against all levels of the infection tested. Effectiveness of both the drugs decreased with increasing levels of the infection. Both the drugs interfered in the development of immunity which was inversely proportionate to the level of infection. Interference in development of immunity was more with sulphadimethoxine but these chicks were still solidly immune to the challenge infection.

Isolation of protoplasts from unhardened and hardened tissues of winter rye and wheat

An enzymatic method is described for preparing stable protoplasts in high yield from non-hardened seedlings and hardened seedlings of winter wheat and rye capable in the hardened condition of tolerating −15 and −26 °C, respectively. The protoplasts were prepared from the epicotyl tissues which were found to be highly amenable to enzymic digestion. Metabolic competence and vitality of protoplasts were established by neutral red staining, cyclosis, regeneration of cell wall, and absence of alteration in lipid unsaturation.

Combining ability and heterosis in diallel crosses of maize

The present investigation involved crosses among 20 elite yellow maize populations. These were evaluated in four environments in a randomized block design with four replications in each environment. Variety Cuba was observed to be the best general combiner for grain yield, followed by St Croix and Prolific. No clear association could be discerned between general combining ability (GCA) effects for grain yield and its components, and mean grain yield performance and GCA effects. Heterosis was observed in general and all the crosses involving Cuba yielded better than the midparent. The five hybrids, Kisan × Cuba, Antigua 3D × St Croix, Prolific × St Croix, Vijay × Antigua Gr. I and A 23 × Cuba, yielded more than the standard check. Significant yield superiority of these varietal hybrids over the best commercial composite (Jawahar) suggested the possibility of their commercial exploitation.

The urinary excretion of collagen degradation products by quadriplegic patients and during weightlessness

Urinary total hydroxyproline, peptide-bound hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine glycosides, and calcium were measured in three healthy individuals subjected to weightlessness for eighty-four days and in three young quadriplegic patients. The former group had significant calciuria but no evidence of collagen degradation. The latter group, however, had conspicuous calciuria and also excreted large amounts of collagen breakdown products. This documented degradation of matrix may be related to the continuous calciuria, osteoporosis, and cutaneous dystrophic changes occurring in quadriplegics.

Morquio-like syndrome with beta galactosidase deficiency and normal hexosamine sulfatase activity: mucopolysacchariodosis IVB

A 14-year-old white girl with mild dysostosis multiplex, odontoid hypoplasia, short stature, cloudy corneas, keratansulfaturia, but without detectable central nervous system abnormalities was referred with the diagnosis of Morquio syndrome. Clinical and roentgenographic findings were minimal compared to those of typical patients with the Morquio syndrome, MPS IV. Beta-Galactosidase activity in extracts of the patient's cultured fibroblasts was deficient, while that of galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase was normal. Conjunctival biopsy revealed intracytoplasmic vacuoles typical of lysosomal storage diseases. It is postulated that in this patient the deficiency of a beta-galactosidase is responsible for inadequate degradation of keratan sulfate and the appearance of a mild form of the Morquio syndrome (MPS IVB).

Incoherent bar images formed by a polarizing microscope with crossed polarizers

Diffraction images of incoherent bar objects formed by a polarizing microscope with crossed polarizers are studied. Expression for intensity distribution has been derived and the results in the form of curves have been plotted. The images which are of unusual shape, different from the patterns formed by the ordinary microscope are strongly dependent upon the size of the bar/coherence parameter. The line spread function can be obtained by taking a very narrow bar.

N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase in man. Absence of the enzyme in Morquio disease

Human N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (6-sulfatase) activity is measured by using as a substrate a sulfated tetrasaccharide obtained by digesting purified chondroitin-6-sulfate (C-6-S) with testicular hyaluronidase. The amount of inorganic sulfate released is measured turbidimetrically. The enzyme from human kidney has a pH optimum of 4.8; its activity is augmented by low levels of NaCl and inhibited by phosphate and high levels of NaCl. Free glucuronate, acetylgalactosamine, inorganic sulfate, polymeric C-6-S, or tetrasaccharide obtained from chondroitin-4-sulfate do not affect the enzyme activity. The method may be used for the diagnosis of Morquio disease since extracts of Morquio fibroblasts are devoid of 6-sulfatase activity.

Cytomorphological variations and blood histamine in bronchial asthma

The absolute counts on basophil and eosinophil leucocytes, percentage of vacuolated eosinophil cells and whole blood histamine were determined in 30 controls and 34 patients with bronchial asthma. The basophil counts rose from the quiescent to pre-attack stage and then fell in the acute stage of bronchial asthma. The eosinophil counts, the percentage of vacuolated eosinophils and the blood histamine content increased significantly during an asthmatic attack. An attack of bronchial asthma was precipitated if the blood histamine rose to or above 200 ng/ml or a 50% rise occurred from its quiescent level. The inter-relationship between cytomorphological variations and blood histamine content in various stages of bronchial asthma is discussed.

Removal of manganese by chelating agents from brain and liver of manganese treated rats: as in vitro and an in vivo study

Some chelating agents were examined for their ability to remove manganese from brain and liver (in vivo) and their sub-cellular fractions (in vitro), of rats pretreated with manganese sulphate. Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (CDTA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) were extremely effective in vivo while CDTA and p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) were efficient in vitro.

Ameloblastic fibroma. Case report

A rare odontogenic tumour, ameloblastic fibroma, is presented as a case report and briefly discussed.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix

Effect of gamma radiation on oocysts of Eimeria necatrix was investigated. It was observed that oocysts exposed to 200 kR or above did not sporulate. Irratiation at 10-150 kR caused a progressive decrease in sporulation. Irradiation affected normal development of unsporulated oocysts as the zygote protoplasm divided into unequal masses or was shattered into granules. Increase in the intensity of irradiation of sporulated oocysts resulted in the progressive decrease in severity of the resultant infections in chicks and their effects - mortality, type of lesions developed, total oocyst production and immunity produced - were comparable with infections induced by decreasing the number of unirradiated oocysts. Infection produced by 1000 unirradiated oocysts was comparable with that resulting from 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 25 kR. Infection obtained with 20 000 unexposed oocysts approximated to that produced by 50 000 oocysts irradiated at 2-5 kR. It was concluded that irradiation abolished infectivity of the oocysts/sporozoites rather than bringing about attenuation of the parasite.